Page 84 of Bound By Crimson
Neither could she.
When he finally pulled away, he kissed the tip of her nose, then her mouth—soft, slow, savoring.
A kiss that tasted like forgiveness. Like hope.
“I’ll be home early tonight,” he promised.
Lyric nodded, biting back the tears threatening to spill.
She watched him shrug on his jacket, grab his keys, and pause in the doorway.
“Don’t forget,” he said, flashing a crooked grin.
“I’m already proud of you.”
Then he was gone.
The penthouse fell silent.
Lyric stood there, barefoot in his shirt, heart aching with something too big to name.
She had the life she wanted.
She had the man she loved.
Now she just had to find a way to keep both.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cracks in the Foundation
Lyric spent most of the morning glued to her phone, answering emails, reposting tags from influencers already buzzing about the boutique.
But in the back of her mind, a quiet panic hummed.
She had promised to hire someone. Promised the store wouldn’t take her away from him. Promised she wouldn’t lose him.
If she didn’t fix this, she could lose everything.
Lose him.
Callie’s last week was flying by faster than she could catch her breath, and the thought of being alone—in the store, in the city, in her own skin—without a lifeline made her stomach knot.
She needed to find someone.
Fast.
By noon, she printed a simple sign—Help Wanted: Boutique Assistant—and stuck it to the window with trembling hands.
Kat waltzed in less than an hour later.
All bleach-blonde confidence, glitter nails, and a purse that could crush a small dog.
“I’m Kat,” she said, popping her gum. “I saw your post. I can start yesterday.”
Lyric blinked.
Kat looked more ready for a reality show than retail.
